Whitebaiters are out on the riverbeds today as the season opens, but the Department of Conservation is urging people to sustain the native delicacy.

The season opened today across the North Island and along the east coast of the South Island with fishing permitted between 5am and 8pm daily, changing to 6am to 9pm during daylight saving time.

Whitebaiter Bruce Smith on the bank of the Wairoa River. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

The season runs until November 30, but West Coast whitebaiters face a shorter season from September 1 to November 14.

DOC manages the fishery on behalf of Kiwis and is pushing to sustain whitebait populations. They also produce a guide for whitebaiters explaining the legal regulations, available from the DOC Tauranga office or online at www.doc.govt.nz/whitebait.

DOC biodiversity ranger Dan Rapson says DOC is noticing a decline in numbers annually.

'Four out of five major whitebait species are now classified as in decline, including inanga - the most commonly caught species,” says Dan.

The decline in whitebait species is mostly due to a lack of clean healthy rivers and wetlands for adult native fish. Planting and fencing stream edges can improve their habitat.

'We'd encourage keen whitebaiters to assist with habitat protection to help maintain healthy fish populations, so the Kiwi tradition of whitebaiting can be enjoyed in the future.

'There are plenty of local projects you can join which are protecting stream habitats or wetlands.”

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith was up at the crack of dawn to join in the opening of the season at Waimea Inlet near Nelson and to encourage whitebait compliance.

'I want people to get out and try and enjoy this tradition recreational past-time but I also want whitebaiters to respect the rules to ensure a sustainable fishery for future years,” says Nick.

'DOC prosecutes more people each year for whitebaiting offences than any other conservation offence. This costs taxpayers and offenders when we would much rather people observe the rules. We need to get the message out about those rules and encourage compliance.”

He also encourages whitebaiters to ensure they clean their nets and other gear between waterways to prevent the spread of didymo and other aquatic pests and weeds.

DOC rangers will be out around the Western Bay of Plenty monitoring whitebaiters and enforcing regulations relating to net size, timing, location and fishing methods.

Common blunders include fishing within 20 metres of a stream confluence, fishing off bridges or structures and forgetting a screen.

If people see anyone breaking the rules they are asked to report it to the DOC Hotline (0800 362 468).